veterans if no agreement is reached on the so-called fiscal cliff. this is 30 minutes. >> thank you, tommy, and, first, let me thank secretary panetta for the up waiverring support to us here at va, but the men and whim who wear and have worn the uniforms of our nation. our close partnership, this meeting that we had today on their plaf has never been more important than it is today. entering the holiday season, i thank the men and women who spend holidays away from our families deafing the nation, we're all great. for the service and sacrifice. as we discussed little of what we do and what originates here, what we work on originates in dod, and that's why achieving our priorities at va requires this close and collaborative working relationship. we have more work to do, but with president obama's strong support and guidance, we applaud the two departments closer together than ever before. we underwritten joint va dod medical facilities where they make sense, harmonizing acquisition decisions, committed both departments to a single common, joint, inte